Minnesota lawmakers are idiots, part two - now with Goldfinger and Sum 41

"Like the story submitted a few days ago about Republicans realizing that the Alkaline Trio turns out to not be the BEST band to be headlining an Anti-Smoking show funded by state government, now they are taking issues with this years bands: Sum 41 and Goldfinger."
Click READ MORE for the whole article [courtesy of the Star-Tribune], but if you want a classic quote you found one: "They're not exactly nice lyrics," said Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. But she said Target Market's strategy of bringing antismoking messages to events that draw at-risk youth is appropriate.

Officials of the state's youth smoking prevention program said Thursday that they probably won't withdraw sponsorship of an upcoming rock concert despite a Republican legislative leader's protest that some of the bands' lyrics are inappropriate.

House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, called for cancellation of the April 30 show in St. Paul by the bands Sum 41 and Goldfinger, saying songs on their Web sites refer to murder, violence, abuse, binge drinking and drug use.

Pawlenty's demand continued a House GOP assault on Target Market, which claims that its efforts to counter tobacco advertising aimed at youths have reduced teenage smoking in Minnesota.

As part of a budget-balancing solution, House Republicans have proposed cutting most of the state Department of Health's $6.5 million in annual funding for Target Market. On Thursday, Pawlenty said the latest revelation of the program's "twisted agenda" bolsters his party's argument.

In a news release, he said it makes no sense to discourage smoking "while promoting other unhealthy behavior. . . . We need to find creative ways to appeal to teens, but this is like treating cocaine addiction by encouraging heroin use."

One of Sum 41's songs cited by Pawlenty apparently describes a weekend hangover, and another speaks of "a killing spree through eternity" by Satan. "I like songs with distortion, to drink in proportion. The doctor said my mom should have had an abortion," says a third. The Goldfinger lyrics listed by Pawlenty are laced with obscenities.

Health chief weighs in

"They're not exactly nice lyrics," said Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. But she said Target Market's strategy of bringing antismoking messages to events that draw at-risk youth is appropriate.

The Sum 41-Goldfinger concert was not organized by Target Market, she said, although the program has paid a $3,600 cosponsorship fee and touts the event on its Web site as an "upcoming TM concert." Pawlenty called for the state contribution to be rescinded.

While Malcolm vowed to "discuss and evaluate" such efforts, she said Target Market's backing of the event at the Roy Wilkins Expo Hall is likely to stay in place.

She added, however, that she plans to exercise firmer oversight over events organized and wholly sponsored by Target Market, such as a concert last fall starring Alkaline Trio, another band whose lyrics have been criticized.

In the past year, Target Market has produced four such events on its own, including skateboarding and biking competitions and a State Fair booth, Malcolm said. The program cosponsors two or three other events a month, she added, most of them involving youth-oriented entertainment.

"It's a strategy that's been effective," she said. "I think you can make an argument that going where the kids are is an important part of a comprehensive strategy. I'm not inclined to suggest to TM that they should completely back away from that until there's a better way to reach the group we're trying to reach."